Monday, 31 January 2011

DF - Conventions of Film Noir

"Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasise moral ambiguity and sexual motivation."

Conventions of Visual Techniques in Film Noir:
  • Dramatic shadow patterning
  • Low-key lighting - stark light/dark contrasts
  • 'Dutch' angles (canted angles)
  • Wide angle lenses
  • Reflections in mirrors
  • Night for night sequences
  • Low-angle shots
  • Faces partially obscured by darkness

Scene from 'Double Indemnity' (Wilder, 1949) showing a very common use of venetian blinds in film noir.
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3 comments:

  1. Ms Johnson2 February 2011 at 17:38

    Well presented comments Dom, what do you think about utilising any of these techniques in your horror opening?

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  2. Dom Ford2 February 2011 at 19:32

    I think reflections in mirrors and Dutch angles could be used to good effect in a horror, in terms of making it seem chaotic. Also dramatic shadow patterning could be a way of suggesting the presence of something without showing it.

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  3. Matt Passmore17 March 2011 at 11:41

    I agree that shadows can be used very well to create tension without the need for good costume etc. However, I think that more fade transitions will fit with our specific genre better.

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